December 12, 2024
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol strongly defended his December 3rd declaration of martial law in a lengthy public address today, while sharply criticizing the opposition party. In his 29-minute speech, the president maintained that implementing martial law was within his constitutional authority as head of state.
President Yoon justified the martial law declaration by claiming that the nation had reached a state of “governmental dysfunction” due to what he characterized as “parliamentary dictatorship and violent actions” by the opposition party. He specifically criticized the National Election Commission’s computer systems as “unreliable,” revealing that he had ordered an inspection of these systems during the martial law period.
“The National Assembly, dominated by the massive opposition party, has become a monster destroying our liberal democratic constitutional order,” Yoon declared in one of his more pointed statements.
The president made it clear he has no intention of stepping down early, stating he would “face any impeachment or investigation without avoiding responsibility.” He emphasized his determination to “fight alongside the citizens until the final moment.”
The opposition’s response to Yoon’s address was swift and severe. Opposition leaders denounced the speech as “an expression of extreme delusion” and “a confession to illegal martial law implementation.” Some went as far as calling it “the ravings of a person suffering from delusional disorder and paranoia.” They stressed their commitment to passing the impeachment motion scheduled for December 14.
Political analysts view Yoon’s address as an attempt to build a defensive narrative ahead of the impending impeachment trial and investigations. The speech comes at a critical moment as both domestic and international media closely monitor the developing political crisis in South Korea.
The situation represents one of the most significant political crises in recent South Korean history, with potential implications for regional stability and international relations in East Asia.
